Disk tiller



Jan. l, 1946. w. H. SILVER 2,392,006

v msx TILLER Filed June 2, 1943 I 2 sheets-sheet 1 xNvENT l 37 25 I5 WALTR H. SILVER w. H. SILVER Jan. 1,1946.

DISK TILLER Filed June 2, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 98 Fls WALTER H. SILVER INVENTOR Patented Jan. l, 1946 4 2,392,006 DISK TILLER Walter H. Silver, Moline, Ill., assignor to Deere &

Company, Moline, Ill., a corporation of llllnois Application June 2; 1943, Serial No. 489,582

18 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to agricultural implements and more particularly to implements known as disk tillers.

The object and general nature of the present invention is the provision of lifting and controlling mechanism which is so constructed and arranged as to add the Weight of one or more of the ground wheels to the implement frame in the event the latter is forced out of the ground, as may occur when the disks strike a hard spot, thereby aiding in maintaining the disks at or near the desired operating depth, irrespective of variations in the soil.

More specifically, it is a. feature of this invention to provide a disk tiller or similar implement having generally vertically shiftable Wheel means with releasable latch mechanism acting normally to hold the ground wheel or wheels against downward movement relative to the frame when the implement is in operating position out which does not interfere with the proper action of the lifting mechanism when lifting the framerelative to the ground wheels. Particularly, it is a feature of this invention to provide a hydraulic type of lift having a lost motion connection, movement of the lift through said lost motion connection serving first to release the latch whereupon subsein my prior United States Patent N0. 1,885,955,

dated November 1, 1932. Only so much of the disk tiller I as is necessary to a complete understanding of the present invention has been illustrated in the drawings, reference being had to my prior patent mentioned above for further details ofthe implement. Generally, the disk tiller I includes a frame 2 that is made up of generally parallel members 3, 4 and 5 that extend diagonally, together with suitable braces 5. The rear ends vof the diagonal bars 3, 4 and 5 are bolted to lugs 8 and 9 that are carried by or formed on a frame bolster plate I Il rwhich is adjustably connected to a rear truck I5 for movement relative thereto about a vertical pivot (not shown). 'Ihe front ends of the frame bars 3, 4 and 5 are bolted, as at I1, to a front furrow wheel sleeve casting I8 in which a front furrow wheel spindle I9 is quent extension of the power lift is enabled freely" to liftl the frame and associated tool means into a transport position.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which the preferred structure has been illustrated.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a disk tiller in which the principles of the present invention have been incorporated.

Figure 2 is a side view of the lifting and latching mechanism, the parts being shown in the positions they occupy when the implement has l been lowered into operating or ground working position. l

Figure 3 is a sectional view showing detailsA of the connection between the hydraulic ram and certain of the wheel holding latch parts.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 2, showing the operation of the latching mechanism in adding the weight of the wheels to the frame in the event a hard spot in the soil or other obstruction tends to force the tools out of the ground.

Figures 5 and 6 are fragmentary views illusvertically shiftable. A front furrow wheel 2| is journaled on the lower outturned end of the spindle I9.

The rear truck I5 includes a land and rear axle bearing 25 in the form of a relatively heavy casting or similar member form-ed at its rear end with a vbearing section 26 in which a rear axle lift crank 21 is disposed. The horizontal portion of the crank axle 21 receives a rear axle sleeve member 23 in which a rear furrow wheel crank axle 3l is disposed for generally lateral swinging in at least one direction. The rear end of the crank axlell receives a furrow wheel 32, and v at 39, on which the wheel 351s journaled, extends laterally inwardly through the hub of the wheel 38 and receives the lower 'end of a link 4I to which reference will be made below. The land and rear axle bearing member 25 is provided with a sleeve extension 43 adjacent but above the bearing section 35, and journaled in this extension 43 is a bell crank member 44 having one arm 45 thereof extending generally forwardly and pivoted, as at 48, to the upper end of the link 4|, the latter being provided with two or more openings to provide for adjusting the relation between these parts as may be desired. Thel other portion of the bell crank member 44 includes a second arm 48, preferably having a hub section 49 which ts on the squared end of the journal portion of the arm 48 that is carried in the extension 43. Thus. rocking movement of the bell crank member 44 will act through the link 4I to shift the position of the land wheel 38 generally vertically relative to the frame 2 or, in other words, will raise or lower the frame relative to the wheel 38 which normally engages the ground. The journal section 38 of the land wheel crank axle 31 carries a crank arm 5| which is apertured to receive the forward end of a link 53, the rear end of which is adjustably xed to a pivot casting 54 that is pivoted to the lower end of the furrow wheel crank axle 21. By virtue of the link 53 and associated parts the furrow wheel 32 and the land wheel 38 are caused to swing generally vertically together relative to the frame 2.

'Ihe land wheel 38 is also connected with the front furrow wheel 2|l whereby the latter wheel is also adjusted vertically relative to the frame 2 whenever the other wheels are adjusted. The arm 5I includes an upper section 58 which is apertured to receive the forward end of a longitudinally extending link 51, the rear end of which is adjustably fixed to a pivot casting 58 pivoted, as at 59, to the-laterally outer end of a bell crank member 6I journaled for rocking movement in a horizontal plane on the frame 2. The horizontal bell crank 6I includes a second arm 64 to which the rear end 66 of a generally diagonally extending link 81 is pivoted. The forward end of the link 81 extends forwardly and downwardly, as at 88, and is pivoted to the lower end of an arm 69 that is formed on or carried by a rockshaft 1I that is supported for rocking movement in a bracket 12 fixed to the forward end of the bars 4 and 5 and in a second bracket 13 that is formed on the front furrow wheel casting I8. An army 15 is ixed to the rockshaft 1| and is connected by a link 18 to a hand lever 11 pivotally mounted on a combined cap and sector member 18. The upper end of the rod member 18 is threaded and receives pairs of lock nuts 19 disposed on opposite sides of a bushing 8| swiveled in the forward end o! the hand lever 11. 'I'he hand lever 11 may be latched in different positions to the sector 82 of the member 18 and when shifted serves to adjust the position of the front end of the frame 2 relative to the front furrow wheel 2 I.

The present invention is more particularly concerned with the provision of improved lifting mechanism, and referring now to Figures 1 and 2, a generally L-shaped anchoring bracket 90 is bolted, as at 9|, to the rear end of the land and rear axle bearing 25 and includes a section 92 extending generally forwardly. A ram unit 93, comprising a cylinder 94 and a piston member 95, is pivotally connected, as at 96, to the arm 48, and at its rear end the unit 93 is connected with the anchoring standard or bracket 98 in a particular manner which will now be described. The piston member 95 is formed with. a pair lof apertured ears 91 that receives a pin 98. The forwardmost ends of the two strap members making up the bracket 90 are provided with slots 99 which receive the pin 98 and accommodate a limited amount of lost motion. The structure just described provides a lost motion anchoring conne@- for limited relative movement. A link |01 is apertion between said supporting bracket and the rear end of the ram unit 93. A pair of bracket arms IOI are welded or otherwise fixed to the straps 80, and the lower portions of the bracket arms |0I as well as the adjacent portions of the anchoring straps are provided with additional slots |03 in which a second pin |04 is disposed tured to snugly receive both of the pins 98 and |04. The forwardly bent sections 92 of the straps 90 are supported rigidly by means of an angle bracket |09 which is bolted, as at IIO, to the anchoring bracket 80 and at III to the station. ary stud on the frame 2 that rockably receives the horizontal bell crank Ii I.

The upper end of the arm 48 is apertured to receive the forward end of a latch rod II2 that extends generally rearwardly between and beyond the two bracket arms IOI. The upper ends of the bracket arms are apertured to receive a pivot pin II3 to which a latch detent II4 is secured, as by welding or the like. The latch detent I I4 is apertured and the rear portion of the latch rod II2 passes therethrough. The bracket arms I 0I also receive a stop pin II5 that limits the rearward swinging of the latch detent I I4. A pair of abutment lugs I I6, one on each side of the rod I I2, are welded or otherwise fixed at their lower ends to the link |01, and each abutment lug includes a rearwardly extending section, as indicated at I I1, that is adapted to engage the latch detent II4. A set screw collar I I8 is adapted to be xed to the rod II2 in any one of several different positions and that cooperates with the abutment lugs |I6 and associated parts for hunting the rearward movement of the upper end of the arm 48, as will be explained below in detail. Fluid under pressure is directed to the power cylinder, or ram unit 93, through a flexible hose I2I and a conduit |22. It will be understood that the present invention is particularly adapted for use with a farm tractor of the type having a source of fluid pressure and suitablev valve mechanism controlling the flow of fluid to and from the power unit on the tractor.

The operation of the invention as so far described is substantially as follows. The implement is lowered into operating position, in which the disks |25 work the ground, by releasing the fluid in the power unit 93 and permitting the fluid to flow freely back to the tractor or other reservoir through the power line I2I, |22. The weight of the frame and disks normally is suiicient to cause, the disks I 25 to enter the ground, the rear furrow wheel 32, front furrow wheel 2I and land wheel 38 moving upwardly, relative to the frame, under the action of gravity acting on the frame and disks. The upward movement of the land wheel 38 acts through the link 4I to rock the bell crank member 44 generally in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figures 2 and 4, thus forcing fluid out of the cylinder 94 and, at the same time, thrusting the latch rod H2 rearwardly. This movement of the rod I I2 relativeto the detent II4 is relatively free, since the detent II4 is so constructed that, when the detent is up against the rod II5, movement of the rod H2 is not resisted (Figure 5). position, as shown in Figure i, and may be deter mined by either of two ways. In the 4first place, the amount of fluid that is permitted to be evacuated from the cylinder 94 may be limited; in other Words, by hydraulically locking a quantity of fluid in the cylinder 94, the amount of retracting movement of the unit 93 may be limited. Assuming This is thenormal operating that this is the case, the weight of the frame and associated parts tending to cause clockwise rotation of the crank axle 91 and the bell crank member B4, will shift the unit 93 to the right, Figure 2, until the pins 98 and I 04 come up against therear ends of the slots 99 and 893, respectively. in the standard 90. Thus, the unit 98, being con-- nected between the arm 48 and the standard 90,

- resists any further upward movement of the land wheel 3S, and since the other wheels are interconnected therewith, further lowering of the implement relative to its supporting wheels' is terminated. The link im, which moves with the pins 93 and iilfl (see Figure 3), carries the abutment lugs H6 and the sections lil thereof bring the latch detent iid up against the stop pin H5 (Figure 5) and, in enect, holdthe latch llt in a position in which it is not effective against restraining movement of lthe latch rod H2. Assume, however, that, with the parts in the positions just described, the disks |25 strike a hard spot (S, Figure 4) and this tends to raise the frame 2 upwardly. As soon as the weight of the frame 2 and associated parts is removed from the land wheel 33, any further lifting on the frame 2 above this position results in the Wheel 3d and crank axle 3l tending to fall downwardly relative to the frame 2, in a counterclockwise direction. This tends to cause the arm i8 to swing also in a counterclockwise direction so that it no longer acts through the power unit 93 to hold the link itl in a rear position against the detent lit. Instead, the tendency for the arm 68 to swing forwardly will not only relieve the pressure of the abutment lugs iitagainst the detent i it but will shift the lugs il@ aslight distance away from the detent, as is illustrated in Figure 4. From this figure it will be seen that as soon as the lugs M6 leave the detent, the latter becomes ree to swing in a clockwise direction, and to clamp against the rod i i2 by virtue of the angular movement of the detent iid. The parts are so arranged that the greater the tendency for the rod i i2 to be drawn forwardly the greater the holding power of the latch detent tit. Therefore, the arrangement is such that the tendency for the land wheel 39 to swing downwardly as the frame 2 is forced upwardly is eiectively restrained due to the arrangement of the parts and also due to the tact that the power unit 93 contains only the iluid that was directed thereto, therefore when 'the arm di) swings forwardly the power unit 93 moves idly therewith and is not forcibly extended. Since both the front furrow wheel 2i and the rear furrow wheel 32 are interconnected with the land wheel through the linkages described above, not only is the weight of the land wheel 38 added to the frame in the event the latter tends to be forced out' of the ground during operation, but also the weight of the other wheels is added. This additional weight is normally effective to prevent: the disks from being forced out of the ground when they strike a hard spot in the ground,

When it is desired to raise the disks to their transport position, al1 that it is necessary to do is to direct fluid under pressure back to the power unit 93. The-iluid pressure rst extends the unit 93 an amount which is sumcient to take up the lost motion provided by the slots 99 and lill, H03. This initial movement, which is power actuated, causes the link |01 to be shifted to thev right (Figure 2) and forces the detent iid into its inoperative position against the stop pin H5. After this takes place, and so long as the detent lili is held in the position shown in Figure 5,

constitutes a member that moves with the land wheel and which is latched normally so as to add the weight of the land wheel, with the other wh'eels, to the implement in the event the latter is forced out of the ground during operation, but the application of lifting power to the cylindex' 93 results in rendering the holding means inactive, as by first forcing the detent IM against the stoppin H5, whereupon the lifting mechanism is then operative to raise the i'rane and associated tools clear of the ground and into their transport position.

Reference was made above to the fact that one means for determining the operating depth was to permit the right amount of uid to be locked hydraulically in the cylinder 96. The same result may be secured bydisposing the set screw collar H8 in such a position on the rod H2 that, when the tools are lowered into the desired position, the set screw collar H8 engages the abutments H8. Since the rod H2 moves through a greater range than the cylinder 9d, since the latter is connected to the arm 48 at a' point closer to the axis of the bell crank M, the set screw collar H 8 engaging the abutment lugs HB, may serve as a stop for limiting the lowering ofthe tools. If desired, the stop H9 may be so disposed as to dene the lower limit, any intermediate operating position oi' the tools being 'determined by the control valve of the hydraulic system which includes the ram' unit 93.

While I have shown and described above the preferred structure in which the principles of the present invention have been incorporated, it is to be' understood that my invention is not to be limited to the particular details shown and described above but that. in fact, Widely different means may be employed in the practice of the broader aspects of my invention.

What I claim, therefore, and desire to secure i by Letters Patent is:

1. In an agricultural implement of the type including frame means, ground working tool means carried thereby, and generally vertically shiftable ground engaging wheel means supporting said frame means and adapted tobe raised and lowered relative to the latter for lowering and raising said tool means `relative to the ground, the combination of mechanism connected to act between said frame means and one of said shiftable supporting means .for holding the latter in an upper position relative to the frame means so as to load onto the latter the Weight of said support meansin the event an obstruction or the like tends to force the tool means out of the ground and raise said frame means upwardly beyond a normal operating position, lifting mechanism connected to act between said frame means and said ground engaging supporting means for forcing the latter downwardly relative to the frame means for lifting the latter and the tool means into a transport position, and means whereby said holding means is rendered inoperative when said lifting mechanism is actuated.

2. The invention set forth in claim 1, further characterized by 4said holding means being rendered inactive before the frame means is raised to any substantial extent.

3. The invention set forth in claim l, further characterized by said holding mechanism comprising a positiveactinglatch and said lifting means comprising mechanism reacting against said latch for releasing the same before raising said frame means.

4. In a disk tiller comprising a rear truck, a crank axle journaled thereon, and releasable latch means connected between said rear truck and said crank axle for holding said crank axle against movement in one direction, the combination therewith of means for shifting said crank axle in said one direction, and means connected with said shifting means and operable by movement thereof for releasing said latch means.

5. In an agricultural implement, a ground engaglng support, a frame carrying a ground working tool movable relative thereto, power operated means for raising said frame relative to said support so as to elevate said tool, latch means connected between said support and said frame and operative to hold the support against down movement relative to said frame, and mechanism controlled by said power means for releasing said latch means so as to accommodate downward movement of said support relative to said frame.

6. In an agricultural implement, a ground engaging support, a frame carrying a ground working tool ymovable therewith, releasable latch means connected between said support and said frame for holding said support against downward movement relative to said frame and thus holding said tool in ground engaging relation, power operated means for raising said frame relative to said support so as to raise said tool out of engagement with the ground, and means actuated by initial movement of said power operated means for releasing said latch means before said power means raises said frame so as to accommodate downward movement of said support relative to said frame.

7. In a disk tiller, a frame, a crank axle pivoted to said frame, a ground wheel journaled on said crank axle, an arm xed to said crank axle. a power cylinder connected at one end with said arm, lost motion means anchoring the other end of said cylinder to said frame, latch means normally active to prevent downward swinging of said crank axle relative to said frame, and a connection, between said cylinder and said latch means for releasing the latter by the movement of said cylinder when taking up said lost motion.

8. In a disk tiller having a rear truck, a crank axle journaled for rocking movement at the forward end ofsaid truck, a standard fixed to the rear end of said truck, an arm ilxed to said crank axle, and a power operated ram unit connected between said standard and said arm for swinging said crank axle.

9. An agricultural implement comprising frame `means, a pair of generally vertically shiftable supporting wheels therefor, a part movably mounted on said frame means and connected with said wheels for shifting them, holding mechanism arrangednormally to act between said part and said frame means for holding both of said wheels in an upper position relative to said frame means, mechanism for forcing both of said wheels generally downwardly relative to said frame means for raising the latter relative to the ground, and means whereby said holding means is rendered inactive by the operation of said lifting means.

I 10. A disk tiller comprising a generally diagonal frame bar, a rear truck connected to the rear end of said frame bar and including a pair of generally vertically shiftable ground engaging associated with one of said wheels for holding the wheels, a generally vertically shiftable ground engaging wheel at the forward end of said diagonal frame bar, means interconnecting all of said wheels whereby they may be raised and lowered together relative to said frame means for lowering and raising the latter, holding mechanism latter against downward movement relative to said frame means whereby, if the latter should be forced by abnormal conditions out of the ground, the weight of all of said wheels will be added to the frame to resist upward movement of the latter under such conditions, lifting means for forcing said wheels downwardly relative to said frame means to raise the latter, and means taking the reaction of said lifting means for iirst rendering said holding means inactive.

11. An agricultural implement comprising frame means, a wheel carrying crank axle journaled for rocking movement relative to said frame means, a shlftable member connected with said crank axle for forcing the wheel downwardly relative to said frame means to raise the latter, means establishing a latching connection between said shiftable member and said frame and arranged normally to prevent said wheel from moving downwardly relative to said frame means, lifting mechanism connected with said member and having a lost motion connection with said frame means, and means actuated by movement of said lifting mechanism relative to said frame means through said lost motion connection for releasing said latching connection.

12. In an agricultural machine, a support, a part movable relative thereto, a member movable with said part, a latch movably carried by said support means and normally engageable with said member to prevent movement of said part in one direction, a power cylinder connected at one end with said part and adapted when extended to shift the latter in said one direction, a lost motion anchoring connection between the other end of said power cylinder and said support, a part carried by said other end of saidv power cylinder and engageable with said latch during movement of said power cylinder to take up said lost motion so as to shift the latch into an inactive position whenever power is applied to extend said power cylinder, and adjustable means cooperating with said member and said anchoring means for limiting movement of said part in the other direction.

13. A disk tiller comprising frame means including a rear truck, a crank axle swingably connected therewith, a swingable arm connected to swing said crank axle, an anchoring standard ilxed to said truck, a power cylinder connected `between said anchoring standard and said swingable arm for shifting said crank axle in one direction, and stop means acting between said swingable arm and said anchoring standard for limiting the movement of said crank axle in the other direction.

14. A disk tiller comprising frame means including a truck, a standard ilxed theretp, a crank axle swingably connected with said truck, a swingable arm connected to swing said crank axle, a rod member pivoted at one end with said swingable arm and shiftable at the other end rearwardly relative to said standard when said crank axle swings upwardly relative to said frame means, and an adjustable stop on said rod member arranged when moved rearwardly with said rod member to bear against said standard for limiting the swinging movement of said crank axle upwardly relative to said` frame means.

15. A disk tiller comprising frame means including a truck, a standard fixed thereto, a crank axle swingably connected with said truck, a swingable arm connected to swing said crank axle, a rod member pivoted at one end with said swingable arm and shiftable at the other end relative to said standard, an adjustable stop on said rod member arranged to bear against said standard for limiting the swinging movement of said crank axle in one direction, latch means acting between said rod member and said standard for releasably holding said crank axle against movement in the other direction.

16. A disk tiller comprising frame means including a truck, a standard fixed thereto, a crank axle s'wingably connected with said truck, a swingable arm connected to swing said crank axle, a rod member pivoted at one end with said swingable arm and shiftable at the other end relative to said standard, an adjustable stop on said rod member arranged to bear against said standard for limiting the swinging movement of said crank 'axle in one direction, latch means acting between said rod member and said standard for releasably holding said crank axle against movement in the other direction, and lifting means acting between said standard and said swingable arm for shifting said crank axle in said other direction after said latch has been released.

1'1. In a disk tiller or the like, a generally longitudinally extending wheel-carrying member, including a crank axle at its forward end swing- /ably connecting the forward wheel with said member, a generally diagonally extending main v frame to the rear end portion of which said wheel-carrying member is movably connected, a

movably mounted on the rear portion of said main frame, a standard fixed to the rear end of said member and including an upwardly and forwardly 'disposed section extending generally toward the front end of said member, a part pivotally mounted on the front end of said member generally laterally outwardly of the vertical plane of said standard and operatively connected to swing said crank axle, link means connected between said movable part and said pivotally mounted part and extending therebetween gener ally underneath the forwardly extending section of said standard, the forwardly extending section of said standard extending above and forwardly of the rear portion of said main frame and the part movably mounted thereon, and a ram unit connected at its rear end with said forwardly extending section of said standard and at its forward end with said swingably mounted part and operative to swing the latter and said movable part.

. 18. In a disk tiller or the like, a main frame, a wheel-carrying member, means including a stationary part for pivotally connecting said wheelcarrying member for horizontal adjustment with said main frame, front and rearA wheels swingably connected with said member, a bracket fixed at its rear end to the rear end of said member and vincluding an upwardly and forwardly extending section extending generally forwardly relative to said member and clearing the adjacent portions of said horizontally adjustable main frame, bracing means for the forwardly extending section of said bracket extending between the latter and said stationary part, and a power operated ram unit connected at its rear end with the forwardly extending portion of said bracket and said front wheel for adjusting the latter by power.

WALTER H. SILVER. 

